Less Than Seamless Transition for WNBC at 11 p.m.

Another glaring omission graced TV sets last night tuned to WNBC/Channel 4. It was the third night of Shiba Russell as permanent co-anchor with Chuck Scarborough at 11 p.m. As you undoubtedly know, Russell replaced Sue Simmons, who did her final broadcast Friday after 32 years.

The introductory chyron showing the anchors’ names was not included. It’s likely, though, to have been a calculated maneuver, as every other reporter and anchor featured in the newscast was clearly identified, including sportscaster Bruce Beck and meteorologist Janice Huff.

Separately, the 20-second headlines atop the 11 p.m. newscast were only voiced by Scarborough. It was a night where team coverage of the oppressive heat was tops. The omission of Russell suggests to viewers, when big news breaks Scarborough and his 38 WNBC years are there.

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